Synopsis During an evening excursion in the port of Qubec on 24August 1994, the passenger vessel LOUIS JOLLIET, with a crew of 21 and 999 passengers on board, encountered the sailboat MERLIN which was returning, with an operator and one guest, to her marina at the entrance to the Chaudire River. At the Pointe Puiseaux, the LOUIS JOLLIET altered course to head on the centre span of the Qubec bridge. Ahead of the passenger vessel, the MERLIN was crossing the river from the south to the north shore. The sailboat maintained her port tack in the prevailing light wind condition because it was assumed that the passenger vessel would proceed toward the centre of the river and pass astern. The sun had set and the navigational lights of the MERLIN were not operational. The LOUIS JOLLIET did not observe the progress of the MERLIN. As it was realized that a close-quarters situation was developing, the sailboat attempted to pass ahead of the passenger vessel by proceeding under both power and sail, but the operator was unable to start the outboard motor. To minimize the impact in a last-minute effort, the sailboat altered course to port. When the upper part of the sailboat's mast was observed bearing four points on the port bow of the passenger vessel, the helm of the LOUIS JOLLIET was turned hard over to port. However, the two vessels collided in estimated position Lat.4645.37'N, Long.7116.13'W, about 1.4 nautical miles south-west of the Pointe Puiseaux. The starboard rigging on the MERLIN parted and the sailboat was dismasted. The port side of the LOUIS JOLLIET sustained negligible damage, and there were no injuries as a result of this accident. Factual Information Draught Forward: 2.59m Retractable centre Propulsion Four GM671 diesel, Outboard Owners Croisire AML inc. J. Dufour Qubec, Quebec St-Romuald,Quebec The LOUIS JOLLIET is a rebuilt side-loading ferry boat. The upper deck comprises a wheel-house forward with bridge wings running to the side of the vessel. The forecastle deck is situated one deck below the bridge and is used as an observation deck and lounge. During evening excursions, this deck is lit with three spotlights mounted on the forestay. In addition, the outline of the vessel is highlighted from bow to stern by a series of low-intensity light-bulbs mounted on the stays. The MERLIN is a sloop with a fibreglass hull, aluminium spars and stainless steel rigging. The vessel has a coach roof midships with a cockpit aft. The pleasure craft is steered by an exterior rudder blade and propelled by an outboard motor, both mounted on the transom. The LOUIS JOLLIET and the sailboats MERLIN and GECKO were the only vessels present in the fairway between the Pointe Puiseaux and the Qubec bridge. This stretch of water is approximately 2.5nautical miles long and, although the river narrows down before the bridge, it spans over a six-cable width. The navigation channel is approximately 4.5 cables wide. The LOUIS JOLLIET departed Section No.91 at 2005(1) and travelled at an average speed over the ground of 12.54 knots (kn). The surface speed of the vessel was approximately 9.5kn, and the tide was flooding. Off the Pointe Puiseaux, the LOUIS JOLLIET altered course to steer for the centre span of the Qubec bridge. The passenger vessel maintained a course of approximately 230(T). The downbound sailboat GECKO was the only vessel observed, and it was assumed she would follow the south shore. The MERLIN was close hauled with her genoa jib and main sail raised, but her progress was slow due to the prevailing westerly winds estimated at 3 to 4kn with 6 to 7kn gusts. On the sailboat, it was initially believed that the passenger vessel would pass astern and, therefore, the MERLIN maintained a course of approximately 275(T) to reach the north shore. To assist the master and chief officer who were present in the wheel-house, the LOUIS JOLLIET had seven deck-hands and a bosun to carry out look-out duty and supervise the passengers. The chief officer at the helm had the conduct of the vessel. The windows of the bridge were closed. The LOUIS JOLLIET, the MERLIN and the GECKO each confirmed that the sky was clear, but visibility was reduced by darkness. The GECKO was the only vessel observed on the radar screen of the LOUIS JOLLIET. The MERLIN was not equipped with a radar reflector as required by law. It was realized on board the MERLIN that the sailboat's speed was insufficient, and an attempt was made to start the motor and pass ahead of the LOUIS JOLLIET but the outboard motor would not start. Risk of collision was not deemed to exist by those on board the LOUIS JOLLIET until the mast of the MERLIN was observed for the first time approximately 45 (four points) on the port bow at a distance of 3 to 5m. The navigation lights of the MERLIN failed on the second to last tack before the collision. There were no other sources of light on board. On the LOUIS JOLLIET, there is a blind vertical sector under the overhang of the bow which extends approximately 85m ahead of the bow, obscuring the view forward from the steering station on the bridge. The weather was clear, but the sun had set and the moon had not risen. The MERLIN did not have a radiotelephone and was not required to carry one by law. The operator and guest on the MERLIN shouted before the impact; however, music playing on the exterior decks of the LOUIS JOLLIET could have muffled their voices. The MERLIN used neither a flare nor a whistle to attract the attention of those on board the LOUIS JOLLIET. After the impact, the sailboat GECKO assisted the MERLIN until the CCG cutter STERNE arrived on the scene and pushed the sailboat to her marina.